Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and hope that all of you were surrounded by loved ones and made memories that will last a lifetime.

We had a nice Christmas this year. Most of the focus was on the children. I got to see my oldest Marcus, he came up for the holidays and spoiled the children with a Wii. Needless to say I haven't seen much of my children since...they are loving all the games and accessories we got them.

Norm bought me flowers and I couldn't ask for a better present then to finally have my home the majority of the way unpacked. The yard is another story. Most stuff is stored in hopefully dry conditions. We have had so much rain, the yard is still a muddy mess. I am looking to the weather this week, according to weather channel tonight is supposed to be the last of the rain for an entire week (YAY!)

Happy Seventh Birthday Jordan and Jadan

This time several years ago, I was finally in some relief. After five days in the hospital, FORTY hours of labor, and finally a C-Section...my boys were in the world and even though two months early...they were healthy. I can't believe another year has passed, and all the changes that have taken place for our entire family (but that's another post all together).


Today we celebrated their birthday party, with the typical pizza and cake. This year I made their cake, very simple box cake, but they loved it just the same. In all the quick change, since they wanted their presents all day and we made them wait for evening to get here, so that everyone invited would have a chance to get here....yet another story all of it's own....we finally started their party at 4pm. They wolfed down pizza, and cake, then before I knew it they were ripping into their presents...I didn't get many pictures.


We had a great time and below you will find some of the pictures of my sweet little(cough) angels.

Jordan's Pizza Face

Jadan's Pizza Face
Blowing out the candle

Jordan's Cake Face

Jadan's Cake Face

School Programs (Part 1)

Today was the first round of the children's Christmas programs at their school. Below you will find pictures of Breanna and then Samuel's performances. I hope to add video's later when I get a chance. Jadan and Jordan's performance is tomorrow, so be sure to check back for more pictures.

Another "Out of the mouth of a child"

So on Saturday we decided it was time to take a break from unpacking and the hustle and bustle of daily life and spend some time with the kids, and share again the Christmas Story.We left the house a little early so that we had time to find "Christmas City" and grab something to eat before we went.

We end up at Sonic Drive-In and as the children are looking over the menu, they see the little advertisement signs of the specials that they have right now.We made our order and everyone ate. As we were getting ready to leave Breanna says in a puzzled voice, "Daddy what are Sausage Diapers?" I of course froze in my seat and didn't say a word. Again, "Daddy what are Sausage Diapers?" I swallowed a sip of my drink....took a breath and said "Breanna what are you talking about…sausage diapers?" She points to the sign on the Sonic Menu and they now serve "Sausage Dippers." You can imagine what a relief that was...and we went on to enjoy our evening.Christmas City was a nice experience.

We got there about an hour after they opened. Usually when we have visited places like this there is a fee per person or per vehicle. I was amazed it was "Free" to visit, however you were welcome to leave a donation. We pulled in “Christmas City” and got one of the few parking spaces they had left.


We all piled in the train and they took us around the campground/park to see the lights. Afterwards we took the kids to see Santa, grabbed hot chocolate (it was COLD!) and funnel cakes. The lights were beautiful and the entire campground was done to celebrate the birth of Christ....the true meaning of Christmas.

The Whirlwind and Ramblings called life....

Where to start...it's been so long.

Well the middle of October they packed up our house and we lived with a friend of ours for a couple of weeks to tie up loose ends in VA. Finally on Halloween we were able to make our way to our new/old home in TN and arrived just in time (after two days of traveling) to take the children Trick or Treating. I called them on the cell phone, just as we were rounding the corner on the final stretch to my grandmother's house and asked if they were ready to go TorTing....and they said yep, I said well come outside and give momma a hug..and they dropped the phone and came running out with open arms and tears. It was a long month away from my children.

So we took them to a couple of local churches, here in TN to go Trunk or treating, and they had a wonderful time. Unfortunately since I have been here I haven't taken any pictures, but plan to in the next couple of days to add to my blog.

Breanna and Jadan were pretty sick, running fevers when I got here. Took them to the doctor and found out Breanna had strep. and Jadan had double ear infections. Got that all straight and then everyone seemingly healed pretty quickly.

We went out the day after Halloween and I found the home of my dreams. We have more room than we had in VA at half the price....it's amazing what they can do with mobile homes now days...but I am happy with this, and plan on making it last for years to come.

It was a long trek, playing the "hurry up and wait game." Many bumps along the way but after Thanksgiving the road seemed take a turn for the better. We got the septic tank laid, the electric installed, and even as I type they are finally putting the underpinning on the house. I feel much more comfortable here and it's starting to feel like home.

I left my best friend in VA, and miss her dearly, but hopefully by the end of next year she will be on here way down here to join us. Jamie sweets....I love ya hun. Life just isn't the same without you. I will stop...no tears, and hanging on to the dream. Just know you are in my thoughts daily, very often.

So the kids are in school, and doing very well. They all have Christmas programs starting Wednesday, and ending with their half day Christmas parties on Friday. Then it is off to holiday celebrations....Jadan and Jordan turn SEVEN on 12/20....I can't believe it....where has the time gone...my little babies...errr boys....are getting so big. You all will never know just how much momma (and daddy)love you all so much.

So a little about the house. I finally have a fireplace, and a huge island in my kitchen..and more than enough room in my living room/dining room. The older two have their own room and the boys share a room, all with HUGE walk in closets.

My bedroom (my sanctuary) is huge as well. In my old bedroom you could hardly move around with the furniture we needed. Here my room looks bare with so little in it. My bathroom on the other hand..is just wonderful. I have a huge garden tub with steps up to it, and a double walk-in shower. I couldn't ask for more.

Norm is still doing the job search thing, since he retires at the end of the month...so keep us in your prayers...all goes well.

Well I have rambled on for long enough. Since I don't have pictures right now...I guess I will update again when I can add pictures.

Thanks to everyone that has asked what's been going on and wanting to know how we are all doing.

Playing Catch Up.

It's been a long trek this year. Norm will be retiring at the end of the year from the military, and in the next few days they will be coming to pack our household goods. We made the decision to move back "Home" to TN.

The economy is playing a big part in this move, as VA seems like a huge roadblock in the job market, not to mention things seem a bit better in the area of TN we will be moving to.

At the beginning of September we went ahead and took the children down there to be with family and be able to have a full school year instead of moving a couple of months into the school year. I miss them so....I talk to them at least twice a day, waking them in the AM and just before bedtime to wish them sweet dreams and send them lots of love.

It is so strange to do this after almost 15 years of NO CHANGE (unless you count moving into this home two years ago).....of being in the same place for so long. One accumulates MUCH STUFF. We are however looking forward to being out of this house, which has turned out to be somewhat of a lemon, and sucked many $$$ from our pocket in the process.

Hopefully life will be much simplier as civilians than the hectic every day rigors of "military" life. Onward and upward I always say....it has to get better....so I will play "catch up" again when I get a chance...until then...STAY TUNED!

Anita Renfroe's Mom's Anthem - WTG!!!!

Anita Renfroe's Mom's Anthem...ENJOY!!! I totally agree...LOL.

Before you start the video, scroll to the bottom and click the pause button on the music bar, so that they won't both play at the same time....ENJOY!

Welcome Home!

Well Mark just got back from Kuwait a week ago, and we were pleased to have a chance to spend some time with him last week. The visit was short as he had to go back down where he is stationed to take on orientation. Mark is starting seminary college. We had a wonderful visit and really enjoyed him spending time with us while he was here. I hope that he will enjoy the layouts above that I made for him while he was here. We look forward to our next visit, hopefully around Christmas.

A visit with Grandpa...

We just had a wonderful week with Grandpa Randy. He came up for a visit last week from Tampa, Florida. This is a picture I took of the kids at the park with him. He comes to visit every summer and the kids always look forward to him spending time with our family. Time always seems to fly when we have company, and this is another example. He flew back home Saturday morning. Grandpa we love you and look forward to your next visit.

Photography by: Pal Around Scraps 'N Photography (Chesapeake, VA), Web address: www.PalAroundScrapsNPhotography.blogspot.com

Today, The Allied Forces Transition Command (NATO) here in Norfolk had their 4th of July Celebration. I was fortunate enough to go, since my husband works there. Guest Speaker was Congressman Tim Cane. Below you will find a few of the pictures I took there. It was a beautiful ceremony with focus on raising the United States Flag.




Drum and Fife Corp - from Williamsburg, VA







My children waiting for the ceremony to start. Samuel with Uncle Sam.






Honor Guard and Military band.








Staff and NATO command employees





Congressman Tim Macain & Lieutenant General James N. Mattis





Presenting the flag for the flag raising ceremony.













Raising Ole' Glory...Watch her wave...





VFA-32 Jets, for their fly by...





NATO, the building where my husband works.







The children enjoyed a catered cookout, face painting, and play.

Kings Dominion and Befuddled - 6/25/08

As we went into Kings Dominion, the children got to visit Dora.






We met several characters in the park, below you will find Chuckie from Rugrats.







Blues Clues...







Joseph and Nick meet Little Bill.





Even Jamie and I got to visit with Scooby-Doo.






Sponge Bob and Patrick...



The Fountains are beautiful...




Slime Zone Water Play AreaJoseph



Breezy and Nick



Jordan



Jamie's Husband, Stan



Jamie and Priscilla




My babies, first rollercoaster ride - "The Rebel Yell". Jamie took Breezy, and Norm took Sammy and they literally took the plunge and rode their first rollercoaster. They are in the first two seats of the blue coaster.






Shenandoah Lumber Company-Norm, Priscilla and the boys (Jay and Jor)



Jamie, Breezy and Nick



The Big Bell outside of Shenandoah Lumber Company



Mr. Nick





Norm and Nick on "The Showplace" Carousel



Finally, since Brezzy loved the coaster ride, Jamie took her on the "Drop Zone"






UP they go........

FURTHER....



FURTHER.....



All the way to the TOP!!!!!



AND DOWN they come!......Straight drop



The looks on their face was priceless....My little girl didn't flinch, and wanted to go again, I was just praying that the thing did indeed stop at the bottom.



Just before they peeled Jamie off the ride...



We took a picnic dinner to the park. When we started getting ready to eat I looked down to find a little sparrow waiting for the left overs. I was able to get within a couple of feet of it and couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of this little guy...he was adorable.









When you have had a long day, and everyone is exhausted something funny is bound to happen, at least that's the case in our family. We get home from "KD" and everyone is beyond exhausted. FOR ONCE, I actually went to sleep without tossing and turning for hours, contemplating the day, tomorrow, and life in general. I finally went to sleep somewhere around eleven....only to be awaken at one in the morning by someone tapping on my bedroom door. I think to myself, incoherently, great....Breezy is having a nightmare from the rides today. So I open the door to see what looks like a refreshed Bre standing there and telling me, "Mom, I need you to come help me play this game..I need your help." I am sitting there thinking, with all the thought I could muster at that point...."WHAT?"....she keeps repeating herself and all I can get to come out of my lips is ..."WHAT?"...finally after about the fifth time she gives up and says nevermind and goes back to lay down. Luckily the dog had slept all day while we were gone to KD, as he followed her into the living room where she crashed on the couch to keep an eye on her. She managed to let the dog out, leave the backdoor standing wide open....dog outside.....and passed back out on the couch, and didn't remember a THING when she got up. Norm had to get up to go to work and thought she had woke up early and let him out already, but after much discussion and I remember telling her to let him out....figured out he stayed out there all night and the backdoor was open since one in the morning.

She and Jordan have always been my sleepwalkers...but it's usually a long period in between when it happens..and I thank heavens we have dogs that will bark when you go to the door as frequent as a door alarm.